More Dear Than All Others, part I: The Story of Camilla, Vergil Aeneid XI.532-538

Velocem interea superis in sedibus Opim,

unam ex virginibus sociis sacraque caterva,

compellabat et has tristis Latonia voces

ore dabat: 'graditur bellum ad crudele Camilla,               535

o virgo, et nostris nequiquam cingitur armis,

cara mihi ante alias. neque enim novus iste Dianae

venit amor subitaque animum dulcedine movit.

--Vergil, Aeneid XI.532-538

Meanwhile, up on Mount Olympus,

Diana sadly calls to her side

One of her sacred companions, swift Opis.

She said, “Camilla is entering this cruel war;

She is arming herself with my weapons in vain;

She is more dear to me than any other woman [cara mihi ante alias].

This isn’t the first time I’ve felt love for her;

These feelings of tenderness aren’t a new addition inside my heart…."

VERGIL / VIRGIL	MAP:
Name:  Publius Vergilius Maro Date:  70 BCE – 21 BCE Works:  Aeneid*               Eclogues              Georgics	REGION  1
BIO:	Timeline:
Vergil was born in Mantua (Cisalpine Gaul, located in northern Italy) and lived during the tumultuous transition of Roman government from republic to monarchy. His masterpiece, the Aeneid, tells the story of Aeneas’ migration from Troy to Italy; it was used for centuries as the pinnacle of Roman literature.	GOLDEN AGE ROME